I have been thinking a lot about whether I would join the DPL league. I understand the purpose but I am also concerned that it creates a larger voting bias in DPC than already exists. DPC is fun because of reasons already stated in other forums. It is also very competitive. For instance in the last 2 challenges votes on my pictures have varied immensely between Participant votes (P) versus NonParticipant (NP) votes. For example one picture had an NP=6.38 and P=4.43. Another had NP=6.01 and P=5.33. This for me is an obvious reflection of the competitive nature of DPC. If teams are involved than the teams are going to know what the entries are for their teammates and therefore further skew the P vs NP votes in the challenges. those who choose not to be in DPL will be effected even more. This is contrary to the purpose of hidden identities of the submission of pictures in challenges. We have already discussed in previous forums the effects of knowing whose pictures are whose in challenges during voting. It can have a negative effect for some and a positive effect for others. DPL will exaggerate this even more. Are we then destroying one of the main tenants of DPC and that is anonymity in challenges. Scores may not be important to some, but they are a reflection of general opinions about our work. Since comments have reduced to near zero on entries, we have no other way of knowing how our submissions are accepted by other impartial viewers except by score.

Of course, otherwise there wouldn't be any votes ... we will still be monitoring for abnormal voting patterns, and it hasn't been that much of a problem in the past. Remember we're only competing for virtual honors -- if there was money involved I'm sure there would be more concern and perhaps a different format ...

Of course, otherwise there wouldn't be any votes ... we will still be monitoring for abnormal voting patterns, and it hasn't been that much of a problem in the past. Remember we're only competing for virtual honors -- if there was money involved I'm sure there would be more concern and perhaps a different format ...

I appreciate your clarification for myself as well as others who may have the same concerns. Wouldn't it be better for the integrity of DPC that everyone be required to be on a team?

I appreciate your clarification for myself as well as others who may have the same concerns. Wouldn't it be better for the integrity of DPC that everyone be required to be on a team?

No, for a couple of reasons. Team averages go down when not everyone enters at least one challenge a week, and if you have non-volunteers on the team they may choose not to bother entering. Secondly, part of the fun of DPL is the team forum where we critique each others' entries and ideas before they go into voting. It's invaluable. It's like getting a raft of comments on every entry. And to get that to work people need to *want* to participate.

As most of you know, Scotland has always had to struggle for its independence from the rest of the isle. And there was a time, many years past, when its hope for sovereignty was particularly grim. Britain had been besieging it for a year. Resources were scarce. Many had given up on the fight and moved into the mountains to live like beasts.

But then a great bear of a man rose up to lead the straggling remnants of the proud Scots. He devised a desperate but brilliant plan to supplement their dwindling supply of weapons with golf clubs.

But the night before his planned ambush of British forces, one man approached him with a sour countenance. He said he needed those clubs to play golf.

"But..." said the Bear, "...the Brits will slaughter us all. They will fill your 18 holes with our blood. No golf shall be played by a Scotsman again, for there will be no Scotsmen."

"Right," said the man, "...but I really need to work on my back swing, and I'm so close to hitting par..."

As most of you know, Scotland has always had to struggle for its independence from the rest of the isle. And there was a time, many years past, when its hope for sovereignty was particularly grim. Britain had been besieging it for a year. Resources were scarce. Many had given up on the fight and moved into the mountains to live like beasts.

But then a great bear of a man rose up to lead the straggling remnants of the proud Scots. He devised a desperate but brilliant plan to supplement their dwindling supply of weapons with golf clubs.

But the night before his planned ambush of British forces, one man approached him with a sour countenance. He said he needed those clubs to play golf.

"But..." said the Bear, "...the Brits will slaughter us all. They will fill your 18 holes with our blood. No golf shall be played by a Scotsman again, for there will be no Scotsmen."

"Right," said the man, "...but I really need to work on my back swing, and I'm so close to hitting par..."

As most of you know, Scotland has always had to struggle for its independence from the rest of the isle. And there was a time, many years past, when its hope for sovereignty was particularly grim. Britain had been besieging it for a year. Resources were scarce. Many had given up on the fight and moved into the mountains to live like beasts.

But then a great bear of a man rose up to lead the straggling remnants of the proud Scots. He devised a desperate but brilliant plan to supplement their dwindling supply of weapons with golf clubs.

But the night before his planned ambush of British forces, one man approached him with a sour countenance. He said he needed those clubs to play golf.

"But..." said the Bear, "...the Brits will slaughter us all. They will fill your 18 holes with our blood. No golf shall be played by a Scotsman again, for there will be no Scotsmen."

"Right," said the man, "...but I really need to work on my back swing, and I'm so close to hitting par..."

As most of you know, Scotland has always had to struggle for its independence from the rest of the isle. And there was a time, many years past, when its hope for sovereignty was particularly grim. Britain had been besieging it for a year. Resources were scarce. Many had given up on the fight and moved into the mountains to live like beasts.

But then a great bear of a man rose up to lead the straggling remnants of the proud Scots. He devised a desperate but brilliant plan to supplement their dwindling supply of weapons with golf clubs.

But the night before his planned ambush of British forces, one man approached him with a sour countenance. He said he needed those clubs to play golf.

"But..." said the Bear, "...the Brits will slaughter us all. They will fill your 18 holes with our blood. No golf shall be played by a Scotsman again, for there will be no Scotsmen."

"Right," said the man, "...but I really need to work on my back swing, and I'm so close to hitting par..."

My mother was club champion, and my father had a 2 handicap, so anything short of the pro tour was the status quo.

I roll with the "Golf is a good walk spoiled." crowd.

That and "They called it golf 'cause all the other four letter words were taken.".

ETA: An actual relevant point on topic..... Since you question possible voting integrity, do your part by joining and voting with integrity!

Since I am the one that initiated this discussion I have to assume that remarks are directed towards me. Therefore, I am resigned to have to respond to some degree to clarify my statements and apparently to defend myself.

Firstly, Golf!
I love golf as you may already assume as my username pays homage to the sport. I love golf for many of the same reasons that I love photography. It is challenging, a great way to meet people, good exercise for an old geezer like myself, a way to get out and enjoy nature and appreciate how lucky I am. I have learned not to take myself too seriously, nor to take anyone else too seriously. I love to see my golf mates hit beautiful shots and play well. I don't mind paying up when I play bad. It only makes me want to go out and practice more. I also like to play alone sometimes. Its is almost like meditation. Its peaceful and mindful. I can understand why some people may not enjoy golf. It can be frustrating if you let it be. I have learned that people, in general, put too much pressure on themselves. I play golf like I shoot pictures, sometimes I play well and sometimes terribly but it is all for my own personal enjoyment.

Secondly, Integrity,
I also love my profession. I also pay homage to it in my username. I have been a dentist for 40 years. I still see patients who were children when I began and now I see their children and even grandchildren. How lucky I am to be able to care for generations! I hope that they understand that I treat them with respect, understanding and caring as I would want my wife, children, grandchildren and myself to be treated. I feel the same about the staff I have worked with. I have been with many of them for over 20 years. I have started to slow down in my practice now and the repeated question I get from my patients on a daily basis is "you are not going to retire are you Dr. Eden?" I have mixed feelings about that question. It means so much to me that they care, as I do them, but as I phase out I look forward to spending more time doing other things that are as stimulating and satisfying as dentistry.

Thirdly, DPL
My questions were not intended as accusations. They are observations requesting an answer. I feel I have always voted fairly. I have openly congratulated those who deserved it. I have never, ever, criticized anyone or ridiculed people as I have seen done on the chat board. I have always encouraged those who's pictures I have commented on. I consider myself an advocate of DPC and have been the author of threads promoting this website. I am concerned about the fairness of the challenges because I want everyone to feel they are being honestly critiqued and positively reinforced for their efforts. A hesitation I have about joining DPL is that I truly would not want to let anyone down. I do not take things seriously when they come to myself, but if they effect other people I am just the opposite.

OK. So there it is. I hope you can see that I mean no ill will. I wish you all the best. Enjoy!

We turned our horse pasture (in our front yard) into a redneck golf course. Hubby manicures the greens and our four "children" come home with friends to play on our five-hole course. It's a bunch of fun. We used to have a "No Collared Shirts" rule, but we've relaxed that a bit over the years. :D

We still enforce the "No more than two sober members on any team" just to make it fair. LOL! I don't play, but I drive the "beer cart". :D

We turned our horse pasture (in our front yard) into a redneck golf course. Hubby manicures the greens and our four "children" come home with friends to play on our five-hole course. It's a bunch of fun. We used to have a "No Collared Shirts" rule, but we've relaxed that a bit over the years. :D

We still enforce the "No more than two sober members on any team" just to make it fair. LOL! I don't play, but I drive the "beer cart". :D